Meta-analysis is an emerging technique used to systematically pool statistical results from different research studies. The technique can be used to increase statistical power, resolve uncertainty when reports disagree, improve estimates of effect size, and answer questions not posed at the start of individual trials. The primary strength of meta-analysis is that it has the potential to reveal hidden trends in data resulting from multiple studies. Meta-Stat, a IMB-PC based software system, will be developed to aid in the use of meta-analysis. Designed from the ground up to utilize the unique capabilities of desktop computers, this software will help researchers organize the literature pertaining to a given topic, compute various statistics based on individual studies, compute various cumulative statistics based on the data pooled across these studies, and graphically analyze the data across studies. A prototype of Meta-Stat has been developed and a market study has been completed. During Phase II, we will complete the development of a system based on the prototype, develop comprehensive documentation, and conduct extensive field tests.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The potential market size is 9,000. A distributor has been lined up.National Cancer Institute (NCI)
